Are you passionate about wildlife and conservation? Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn about bats and their crucial role in our ecosystem. Are you a biologist or industry professional looking to learn the ins and outs of acoustic monitoring, identification, and data management? Join us for our add-on Acoustic Course (details and full schedule below).

This unique educational workshop features our joint efforts to survey for and protect bats while benefiting commercial agriculture. Along the San Marcos River in Central Texas, we will get to visit the birthplace of the commercial pecan industry at a unique orchard managed on the edge of ancient pecan forests. This Discovery Workshop showcases a restorative approach towards commercial agriculture that safeguards native soils, water, and wildlife - especially bats!

SEPTEMBER 9

Exclusive Tour of Bracken Cave

Kick-off this event with us at Bracken Cave, home to the world's largest bat colony. Witness the breathtaking spectacle as millions of bats take to the skies during their nightly emergence. This awe-inspiring sight is an experience you'll treasure forever.

SEPTEMBER 10 & 11

Expert-guided Lectures and Field Trips

Immerse yourself in expert-guided lectures and hands-on field trips that cover various aspects of bat conservation. View bat habitat, build artificial roosts, and visit both commercial and native pecan groves to learn about regenerative agricultural practices. Our comprehensive program offers something for everyone!

Engaging Evening Demonstrations

Experience the thrill of mist-netting and acoustic recording as you observe live bats in action! Our evening demonstrations will leave you in awe as you witness these incredible creatures up close in their natural habitat.

SEPTEMBER 12 & 13 (Acoustic Course)

Join our two-day acoustic add-on course and get a special chance to see and acoustically ID tri-colored bats and northern long-eared bats! For biologists, industry professionals, and serious citizen scientists, our optional 2-day acoustic identification course is a must-attend! Led by the renowned Janet Tyburec, this course will teach you how to organize and classify recordings to species, interpret results, and contribute data to any bat survey.

During this course, you'll master equipment selection, bat detector deployment techniques and settings configuration, data collection and organization, and results analysis. Identify Central Texas bats to species and learn about species-specific frequency and amplitude characteristics. In-class practicums and an optional field recording demonstration will empower you to conduct your own bat inventory and monitoring.

As a student of this course, you'll receive a free 30-day trial version of the powerful SonoBat software suite and/or Kaleidoscope Pro for data processing.

Your journey with us comes with these incredible inclusions:

Complimentary Lunches and Dinners
A free signed copy of MTBC's newest book, The Bat House Guide
1 year of Leadership Membership in MTBC, including 20 free photo downloads, discounts on additional photo downloads and merchandise, and exclusive invitations to join Merlin for privately chartered bat-watching cruises at Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge
Course credit from participating Master Naturalist programs

Accommodations & Travel (Not Included)

Make the most of your experience by staying at The Holiday Inn Convention Center, San Marcos, with a special group rate for Join the Nightlife 2025 attendees. Carpool arrangements from the hotel to the field site can be organized for your convenience. Don't wait to secure your spot!

Proof of recent rabies vaccination or acceptable titer is required for handling bats, but not required for attendance. For inquiries, email Danielle@MerlinTuttle.org